2011 - 2012 Grant

This project aims to engage Hamiltonians in on-going efforts to protect natural heritage, and potentially grow the Greenbelt. Environment Hamilton will work with municipal planning staff, local groups and residents to identify candidate lands and natural systems, and build a case of support for growing the Greenbelt. They will also work to clarify and overcome challenges to ‘Greenbelting’ lands in urban areas.

The David Suzuki Foundation will continue to build the case for protecting natural capital in and around the Greenbelt. They are partnering with the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health to promote the health benefits of near-urban nature, and to emphasize the connection between the Greenbelt and healthy communities. They will also undertake an analysis of municipal growth plans in the region to assess the degree to which local governments are adopting policy options to best protect their natural capital. This work will help equip and build a community of decision-makers and influencers that will support the non-market and health benefits of nature.

This funding supports a project to protect important natural and hydrological features in the region by engaging residents to participate in on-going planning processes to expand the Greenbelt in Halton and Peel Regions. Sierra Club will collaborate with community groups and municipal staff and councilors around the importance of protecting natural heritage, including its environmental, economic and health benefits.

Toronto’s ravines and parks are one of the city’s most distinct features, and play an important ecological role. Toronto Park People are providing support to help the city and the province overcome the challenge in growing the Greenbelt along the Humber and Don River Valleys, and engaging an excited public in designating Rouge Park as Canada’s first urban national Park.

This funding will help increase public awareness of the Greenbelt and its economic, environmental and social benefits. Through a series of six articles over three years, key research regarding the Greenbelt and the values associated with it will be shared.

This funding supports the Rouge Park Alliance in hosting the 2012 Tour de Greenbelt - a fresh air festival on wheels. This annual family-friendly cycling event takes place in Ontario’s Greenbelt and for the first time, this year’s program will include hiking and running courses. Activities supported by this grant include managing participant registration, route development, partnership and sponsorship development, and coordinating event logistics.

This funding supports the creation of a Southern Ontario Green Spaces Map, a 540-square foot project which highlights all of the protected and green spaces in Ontario. The map shows who is looking after these green spaces and partners with other environmental and conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Showcased at Toronto’s annual Green Living Show, the creation of this map has a value which extends far beyond an annual showcase. By teaching people the value of precious natural resources such as clean water, natural temperature control, wetlands, and forests, long-term support is generated for preserved green spaces across the province.

The Greenbelt protects our natural environment and water resources from the impacts of urbanization and other major developments. Its landowners, including farmers that work over 50 per cent of the landscape, maintain and restore individual features like wetlands. The benefit of this restoration is flood control, water filtration, improving water quality and climate adaptation.

This project researches new opportunities that recognize the ecological goods and services landowners provide communities when they undertake stewardship on their lands. The research looks at how to more effectively compensate these stewardship activities and improve environmental outcomes for healthy wetlands in the Credit River watershed. The Region of Peel and the Peel Federation of Agriculture are leading partners in this research.

Farmers' markets are well-known as community local food hubs; but with an abundance of fresh, homemade and sustainable products on display, they are also a great place to learn about nutrition. This project investigates the link between market attendance, knowledge of local foods, and healthy eating. The results will help markets promote healthy options and benefits of eating local to families across the Greenbelt.

The Network will also continue to offer professional development to market managers, and support best practices and knowledge sharing, all in an effort to help markets and their farm vendors economically thrive.

Greenbelt Alliance members work in communities across the landscape to protect the Greenbelt and embrace new opportunities to support its role in providing clean air, water and food to the region. A key partner in their efforts is the Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt whose work is also supported through this funding.

The project also continues work to expand the boundaries of the Greenbelt to include many environmental features that cross its borders including natural heritage, water systems, and agricultural resources. The Alliance will assist with applications to grow the Greenbelt in Guelph, Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton.

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Ontario’s Greenbelt is the solution for fresh air, clean water, healthy local food, active outdoor recreation, and a thriving economy. At almost 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt, keeping our farmlands, forests, wetlands safe and sustainable.The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, and protect and grow natural features.